Recovery of Rare Alkali Elements from Hydromineral Resources by Zeolite-Bearing Rocks-Based Adsorbents

The article proposes technology of processing and modification of zeolite-bearing rocks from the Shivyrtui and Talan-Gozagor deposits with a view to producing high-quality adsorbents to recover rare alkali elements from hydromineral resources. The mineral composition of zeolite-bearing rocks is described, and their electromagnetic and electrostatic separation is reported. Using a model solution with cations of rare alkali elements, the sorption capacity of initial, concentrated and modified zeolite-bearing rocks from the Shivyrtui and Talan-Gozagor deposits is analyzed. Sorption of rare alkali elements is studied as function of a solution/sorbent ratio. The influence of cations in the model solution composition on the capacity of zeolite is examined. The water treatment tests show high results which ensure the required quality of effluents.